dave@questar.questar.mn.org (David Becker) (04/14/89)
From: dave@questar.questar.mn.org (David Becker) An editorial yesterday is the latest rumor I've heard that the SR-71 Blackbird is to be retired. Postings in rec.aviation say the plane has been showing up more often at air shows implying it is being put to pasture for recruiting. The editorial said the air force is doing this to save money. Satellites can now do their job. The author disaggrees. He writes the SRs are capable of much surveillence which satellites can't handle. Also the government has a policy of not releasing satellite photos but will release other photos. No more SRs would mean no more Cuban Missile Crisis type photos. His second point isn't very strong but I agree wholeheartedly with the idea that SRs can do recon in ways satellites can't. It would be stupid to junk these assets. Of course this is military intelligence. :-) Presumably the AF has a replacement in the works. Any rumors out there? What are the AF plans build an orbit-on-demand type plane? gee-whiz follows: You'd think 25 or so years after SRs were built we'd be able to handle it. 25 years before the SRs was the beginning of WWII. 25 years after the SRs we have B-1 and 2. Oh well. -- David Becker and another bug bites, and another bug bites another bug bites the dust db@kolonel.MN.ORG
eugene@eos.arc.nasa.gov (Eugene Miya) (04/15/89)
From: eos!eugene@eos.arc.nasa.gov (Eugene Miya) If I were you, or that writer, I would not worry. The history of remote sensing craft have always been adquately covered since WW II. U-2s and their derivatives are still in use, so will some SR-71s will remain around. A few airframes might be getting stressed. You might also watch the up coming X-3x series of craft. Sgt. Schultz: "I know noth-think, noth-think." Another gross generalization from --eugene miya, NASA Ames Research Center, eugene@aurora.arc.nasa.gov resident cynic at the Rock of Ages Home for Retired Hackers: "Mailers?! HA!", "If my mail does not reach you, please accept my apology." Live free or die.